Free Night With a Tiger by Marissa Dobson

As for murdering Pierce, that is no different than what your government would do. Would you prefer we let him live? How much longer do you think you could have survived if I didn’t find you in Texas?” Adam’s own anger rose to match hers.
    “The clan is allowed to leave as they see fit.” Raja explained. “Most prefer to stay on our land for the safety, but there are others who travel outside our gates daily. We’re not so different from humans. We just choose to live in the safety of the compound. We are not here because we are a danger to you or anyone else.” Raja glanced at Bethany. “Come love, Tora is expecting us.” He led Bethany to the door before turning back to Adam. “Good luck.” Raja winked.
    When the door closed, and they were alone in the room, Robin stepped away from Adam. “What the hell was that supposed to mean?”
    Robin obviously took offense to Raja’s last comment. Adam thought it best not to get into that conversation, knowing it would only irritate her further. Instead, he moved to the door. “We should get back to my cabin. I have work I need to attend do.” He walked to the door, hoping she’d follow. He wanted to pack a bag just in case word came back that he was one of the men going to Virginia or Boston to take down Pierce. To guarantee he was on the list, he whipped out his cell and sent Ty a quick text message. He didn’t want to mention it to Robin. Her fears were already escalated.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Robin stood in the doorway of Adam’s bedroom, completely shocked he was stuffing a duffle bag with clothes. “Where are you going?”
    He opened the bedside table and pulled out magazine cartridges for his gun. “I’m heading the team that goes after Pierce. Once his location is confirmed, my orders are to fly out with some of the guards. I need to be ready.”
    “You’re what?” She shook her head. “What about me?”
    Placing his weapons on top of his clothes, he turned to her. “You’re going to stay with Bethany while I’m gone. You’ll be safe with her and her guards, but no more comments about how shifters don’t live up to your standards, or that we are less because we have two forms.”
    “No. I want to be taken to the airport.”
    “Damn it, Robin, I’m trying to protect you. Bethany and Tabitha will have double the guards on them until we’ve taken down Pierce. You’ll be safe with them, safer than on your own. I don’t want to hear anymore about it. If you want to leave when this is over, fine. It’s not happening until then.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling like a child being scolded. “I just want this to be over.”
    He stepped to her, close enough to touch. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”
    “Why does it have to be you?”
    “It’s my job. With Ty going, I need to be there to watch his back, and Felix needs to stay behind to protect Tabitha. Ty is my Alpha, not to mention my Queen’s mate. She needs him to carry on our line. Without them, all tigers will cease to exist. I won’t let Ty go alone. I’m sorry, I just can’t. Please try to understand, these people gave me a home and the opportunity to prove myself as a guard. I won’t let them down, not when I’m needed the most.” Pulling off his shirt, he stepped away from her. “I’m going for a run.”
    Robin stayed where she was as he stripped down and walked out the front door. A large Bengal tiger then ran past the windows. She sank to the floor, cradling her head in her hands and cried. Honestly, she had nothing against shifters, at least not the Alaskan Tigers and especially not Adam. She used her fight as an excuse to avoid getting close to him. She was tired of being hurt and of being abandoned. If Adam went after Pierce he might not come back. She couldn’t run the risk of attaching to him. Everyone she cared about was being picked off one-by-one by Pierce and his gang, leaving her alone and scared. She wasn’t sure she had the will to